Iris

“Eventually, you just have to realize that you’re living for an audience of one. I’m not here for anyone else’s approval.” —Pamela Anderson

Steve saw the world and everything in it through rose-colored glasses. He couldn’t remember being happier. 

And that feeling lasted until the plane’s engine hummed to life. 

Something about planes always made Steve nervous. He felt as if he were destined to crash. As the engine hummed to life, Steve worried that he’d bring Bucky down with him. 

The strange familiarity seemed to fade away. 

Steve realized he was sitting next to a stranger. 

“So, um, like what’s your favorite movie?” Bucky asked suddenly. 

Steve blinked. “Uh, you mean like all time?”

Bucky nodded. 

“Um, I guess it’s The Sound of Music .”

“Cool,” Bucky said. 

“I love romantic movies, you?” Steve asked. 

“Sure, sure. I got a ton like Jurassic Park, Silence of the Lambs, and Nightmare on Elm Street.” Bucky grinned easily.

“You like the scary stuff,” Steve repeated. 

Movie nights were going to be interesting…

“Horror, yeah, that’s my jam.” Bucky bit his lip. 

They fell silent again, until Bucky asked, “What’s your favorite food?”

“French Fries.” Steve chuckled. 

Bucky’s grin widened. “I freaking love French fries!”

As the plane took flight, their awkwardness faded away like the world beneath them. 

Steve leaned his head against Bucky’s shoulder. He didn’t know why he had been so silly. 

They weren’t destined to crash or fall. They’d make this work somehow.  

Marriage is made up of little things, and little things aren’t that hard. 

Just before he drifted asleep, Bucky pressed a soft kiss against his forehead. 

Steve jerked awake as the plane began its descent. 

Bucky kissed him languidly. “You were tired, huh, doll?”

“I had a pretty eventful trip to Cancun.” Steve nipped the bottom of Bucky’s lip. 

Bucky practically purred. 

Steve was almost disappointed when the plane landed, but Bucky’s hand entangled with his. 

They were in their own rose-colored world.

There were shouts of, “Steve!” 

And the rapid clicking of cameras. 

Steve had never really gotten used to paparazzi, but he knew not to react honestly. Forcing a smile, he tried not to cower as the reporters clamored. 

“Over here!” A reporter shouted trying to get a better picture of his face. 

“Steve!”

“Stevie!” 

“Steven!”

Steve ignored them. He felt anxiety bubble to the surface, but then Bucky’s steady arm settled around him protectively.

Artwork by andrudibuja

Paparazzi weren’t so easily ignored. 

Several reporters shoved their way to the front and stuck their microphones in Steve’s face. 

“When’s the honeymoon?” One asked. 

“Is it true you just met? Love at first sight?” This one definitely wanted to focus on the scandal. 

“Can we see the ring?” One of them tried to grab Steve’s arm. 

Bucky growled. 

“How long have you guys been together?” Another one shouted. 

Steve wasn’t sure if he was blinded by sunlight or flashing cameras. He couldn’t help being relieved when he spotted the car. 

Bucky shoved past the reporters and practically dragged Steve towards the car. He managed to open the door and gently nudged Steve inside before turning on the paparazzi. 

Steve giggled when Bucky cursed the paparazzi. He’d always wanted to do that. 

Bucky finally slid into the seat beside him. “Shit, you’re like famous.”

“No, we're famous.” Steve knew from experience just how egotistical and jealous Alphas could be. He really hoped that this wouldn’t be a fight later on. 

“They wanted to know about you,” Bucky said softly. 

Steve tensed. 

“It’s alright, doll.” Bucky kissed his cheek. 

Steve leaned into the affectionate touch. 

Where we going?” Their driver Happy asked. 

Steve and Bucky looked at each other questionably. 

“Oh.” Steve but his lip. “You mean whose house.”

“Where we gonna live?” Bucky asked. “Where do you live?”

“In the hills,” Steve replied. He tried to imagine Bucky at his place. “You?”

“Malibu,” Bucky answered.

“I love Malibu!” 

“Really?” Bucky asked. “Cause I don’t really care where we live as long as we’re together.”

Steve didn’t know how he’d found such a good Alpha. “As long as we’re together.”

“I just bought this new house,” Bucky admitted. “We could renovate it exactly how we want it.”

“Let’s live there.” Steve still had a bit of spontaneity in him.

“Really?” Bucky grinned. 

Alphas lived to please their mates. 

“Yeah, yeah!” Steve chuckled as Bucky pulled him into his arms. 

“Alright, let’s do it.” Bucky kissed him. 

Bucky had insisted that they stop at Steve’s house first and get his things. He even carried everything to the car himself. 

Steve gaped at the beautiful house before him. 

“You like it?” Bucky asked. 

“I love it!” Steve exclaimed. 

“This’ll be our own fortress of solitude. Over there that’ll be like a Zen Garden. And over there’ll be a waterfall with a koi pond. You know, just super chill.” Bucky had obviously given it some thought. 

“So, Buddhist.” Steve giggled. 

“Yeah, totally.” Bucky grinned lazily. 

“Hey, you know what would be awesome? How bout a meditation gazebo?” Steve asked. He was a little nervous, but Bucky jumped on it. 

He looked like a little kid as he shouted, “Yes!” 

“Whenever life gets too chaotic, we can just go in and just… just center ourselves.” Steve had always found meditation relaxing, and he wanted to share it with Bucky. 

Bucky kissed him. “This place can be whatever you want.”

Steve was so lost in their passionate kiss that he didn’t even notice the reporter snapping pictures from the edge of the property. 

Bucky growled suddenly and pushed Steve behind him. He threw a rock at the reporter. “Get off my property!”

Steve wrapped his arms around Bucky’s back. “It’s okay; it’s okay.”

“That’s not okay,” Bucky said. “You deserve to feel safe at your own home.” 

“Most people don’t think a picture is dangerous.” Steve sighed. 

Bucky frowned. “It is when you didn’t want it taken.”

***

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